elearning_introductions

E-LEARNINGCONCEPTS, TRENDS, APPLICATIONS

IntroductionWhile the term “e-learning” has been thrown aroundquite a lot in recent years, many are still unaware ofwhat it actually means and how it can help them achievesuccess in both their professional and personal lives.This short e-book aims to provide an introductory leveloverview of the e-learning field for those people.This e-book is divided into five main topics. The firsttopic sets the case for e-learning by dealing withsubjects such as its history, its advantages and anydrawbacks, and whether it can actually lead to learning.The second topic describes important types oflearning tools that are available today. The third topicdeals with the characteristics of online courses and howone can create successful learning communities. Thefourth topic is about emerging learning trends. Herewe explain themes such as micro-learning andgamification. And the final topic describes theapplication of e-learning in different industries.

What is e-learning?When it comes to education, the model has been prettystraight forward - up until the early „00s education wasin a classroom of students with a teacher who led theprocess. Physical presence was a no-brainer, and anyother type of learning was questionable at best. Then thecomputer evolution happened and it radically changedthe learning landscape.In essence, e-learning is a computer based educationaltool or system that enables you to learn anywhere and atany time. Today e-learning is mostly delivered thoughthe internet, although in the past it was delivered usinga blend of computer-based methods like CD-ROM.Technology has advanced so much that the geographicalgap is bridged with the use of tools that make you feel asif you are inside the classroom. E-learning offers theability to share material in all kinds of formats such asvideos, slideshows, word documents and PDFs.Conducting webinars (live online classes) andcommunicating with professors via chat and messageforums is also an option available to users.There is a plethora of different e-learning systems(otherwise known as Learning Management Systems, or

LMSs for short) and methods, which allow for courses tobe delivered. With the right tool various processes canbe automated such as the marking of tests or thecreation of engaging content. E-learning provides thelearners with the ability to fit learning around theirlifestyles, effectively allowing even the busiest person tofurther a career and gain new qualifications.Some of the most important developments in educationhave happened since the launch of the internet. Thesedays learners are well versed in the use of smartphones,text messaging and using the internet so participating inand running an online course has become a simpleaffair. Message boards, social media and various othermeans of online communication allow learners to keepin touch and discuss course related matters, whilstproviding for a sense of community.In the fast-paced world of e-learning the availabletechnologies to make a course exciting are alwayschanging, and course content can and should beupdated quickly to give students the very latestinformation. This is especially important if the e-learning training is being given to employees in a sectorwhere keeping up-to-date on industry developments isof the utmost importance. This is one of the reasons whymany businesses are now offering training via e-learning - other reasons includes low costs and theability for employees to study in their own time and

place.Overall, traditional learning is expensive, takes a longtime and the results can vary. E-learning offers analternative that is faster, cheaper and potentially better.

The history of e-learningThe term “e-learning” has only been in existence since1999, when the word was first utilized at a CBT systemsseminar. Other words also began to spring up in searchof an accurate description such as “online learning” and“virtual learning”. However, the principles behind e-learning have been well documented throughouthistory, and there is even evidence which suggests thatearly forms of e-learning existed as far back as the 19thcentury.An e-learning timelineLong before the internet was launched, distance courseswere being offered to provide students with educationon particular subjects or skills. In the 1840′s IsaacPitman taught his pupils shorthand via correspondence.This form of symbolic writing was designed to improvewriting speed and was popular amongst secretaries,journalists, and other individuals who did a great deal ofnote taking or writing. Pitman, who was a qualifiedteacher, was sent completed assignments by mail and hewould then send his students more work to be finishedusing the same system.In 1924, the first testing machine was invented. This

device allowed students to tests themselves. Then, in1954, BF Skinner, a Harvard Professor, invented the“teaching machine”, which enabled schools toadminister programmed instruction to their students. Itwasn‟t until 1960 however that the first computer basedtraining program was introduced to the world. Thiscomputer based training program (or CBT program)was known as PLATO-Programmed Logic forAutomated Teaching Operations. It was originallydesigned for students attending the University ofIllinois, but ended up being used in schools throughoutthe area.The first e-learning systems were really only set up todeliver information to students but as we entered the70s e-learning started to become more interactive. InBritain the Open University was keen to take advantageof e-learning. Their system of education has always beenprimarily focused on learning at a distance. In the past,course materials were delivered by post andcorrespondence with tutors was via mail. With theinternet the Open University began to offer a widerrange of interactive educational experiences as well asfaster correspondence with students via email etc.Online learning todayWith the introduction of the computer and internet inthe late 20th century, e-learning tools and delivery

methods expanded. The first MAC in the 1980′s enabledindividuals to have computers in their homes, making iteasier for them to learn about particular subjects anddevelop certain skill sets. Then, in the following decade,virtual learning environments began to truly thrive, withpeople gaining access to a wealth of online informationand e-learning opportunities.By the early 90s several schools had been set up thatdelivered courses online only, making the most of theinternet and bringing education to people who wouldn'tpreviously have been able to attend a college due togeographical or time constraints. Technologicaladvancements also helped educational establishmentsreduce the costs of distance learning, a saving thatwould also be passed on to the students - helping bringeducation to a wider audience.In the 2000′s, businesses began using e-learning totrain their employees. New and experienced workersalike now had the opportunity to improve upon theirindustry knowledge base and expand their skill sets. Athome individuals were granted access to programs thatoffered them the ability to earn online degrees andenrich their lives through expanded knowledge.

The benefits and drawbacksof online learning Whether you're a high-school teacher looking to engage your students in a more interactive way, or a corporate trainer hired by a large company to design training curricula, e-learning packs a punch when it comes to benefits that make the creation and delivery processes easier and hassle-free. Important benefits are outlined below: No Boundaries, No Restrictions Along with locational restrictions, time is one of the issues that learners and teachers both have to face in learning. In the case of face-to-face learning, the location limits attendance to a group of learners who have the ability to participate in the area, and in the case of time, it limits the crowd to those who can attend at a specific time. E-learning, on the other hand, facilitates learning without having to organize when and where everyone who is interested in a course can be present. More Fun Designing a course in a way that makes it interactive and fun through the use of multimedia or the more recently developed methods of gamification (further discussed in later chapters) enhances not only your

engagement factor, but also the relative lifetime of thecourse material in question.Cost EffectiveThis is directed to both learners and teachers, but thereis a good chance that whatever your role you had to payexorbitant amounts of money at some point to acquireupdated versions of textbooks for school or college.While textbooks often become obsolete after a certainperiod of time, the need to constantly acquire neweditions is not present in e-learning.It Just Fits!As companies and organizations adopt technologies toimprove the efficiency of day-to-day operations, the useof the internet becomes a necessity. As multinationalcorporations expand across the globe, the chances ofworking with people from other countries increases, andtraining all those parties together is an issue that e-learning successfully addresses.Let's blend all of that together and apply it in a real-lifescenario:In an effort to enhance the credibility of course material,oftentimes a professor will summon a field specialist togive a lecture relevant to the topic at hand. In thetraditional model of education, the professor wouldhave to extend an invitation to said expert, and incur thecosts of his flight, stay and training.

With e-learning:With e-learning the professor has the ability to host aguest lecture without having to spend much money. Itcan be done virtually, with cameras for both the lecturerand the students, and with the use of microphones tofacilitate the same level of interaction that would bepossible if the lecturer were physically present in theroom. The added benefit comes in when we are able toreplay the lecture and gain even more out of it. Studentsthat missed out can view the recording, or students thatattended can watch it again to further theirunderstanding.Concerns that arise with e-learningEven given all the benefits of e-learning, one cannotdeny there are some drawbacks. Practical skills aresomewhat harder to pick up from online resources. Forexample, although building a wooden table is somethingyou can easily share information about, record videos ofand explain, the practical experience is essential. Potteryand car engineering are examples of skills that requirehands-on experience.IsolationThough e-learning offers ease, flexibility and the abilityto remotely access a classroom in the student‟s owntime, learners may feel a sense of isolation. This is

because learning online is a solo act for the most part,which may give the learner the feeling that they areacting completely alone. As technology progresses ande-learning benefits from the advancements being made,learners can now engage more actively with professorsor other students using tools such as video conferencing,social media, and discussion forums amongst others.Health Related ConcernsE-learning requires the use of a computer and othersuch devices; this means that eyestrain, bad posture andother physical problems may affect the learner. Whenrunning an online course it‟s a good practice to send outguidelines about correct sitting posture, desk height,and recommendations for regular breaks.

Can we learn online?One of the most longstanding debates in the field ofeducation has been whether or not we can benefit frome-learning to actually learn. Do we, as human beings,have the ability to soak up information in this fashion,and can we truly learn new skills and expand ourknowledge by learning virtually? We realize thereservations of people who will argue that computerspromote procrastination and offer distractions, howeverwe owe it to ourselves to dig a little deeper and see theother side of the coin that pinpoints the uniqueadvantages of learning online.It's true that as individuals we don't all respond to oneteaching method in the same way - some learn visually,and others learn with repetition or writing; some preferto learn by themselves, whilst others need someone toguide them all along the way; some are extroverts andfeel comfortable talking in front of people, whilst othersare introverts and are afraid to communicate openlyinside the classroom. E-learning responds to thosedifferent needs with the use of different tools and avariety of materials. For example, e-learning commonlyoffers audiovisual content or interactive testing on thego that can be more attractive for younger learners thantraditional books. E-learning also lets peoplecommunicate through email, forum or chat, allowing

even introverts to take part in related conversations.E-Learning, in comparison with traditional learning,significantly reduces the time needed to locateinformation. It also offers access to online resources,databases, periodicals, journals and other material youwouldn't normally have access to from a library. If astudent has trouble understanding part of thecoursework, finding tips on the matter couldn't be easierthan having immediate access to supplementary,unlimited and mostly free material online! Thosecharacteristics can potentially maximize the time spentactually learning rather than looking for information(note however that seeking information can be alearning process in and of itself! – the word serendipitydescribes exactly that, the accident of finding somethinggood or useful even when not specifically searching forit).Learning online in practice!Universities already embrace the power of e-learning todeliver content to students all over the world, even forfree. At a time in which universities are under greatpressure to deliver education, combining technologywith education is integral to coming up with a finalproduct that will empower the educational institution,set it apart, and allow it to grow its student base

worldwide. Harvard and MIT are just two of the mostwell-known universities that have launched programsfocused on offering classes online for free. Harvardvideotapes its lectures and puts them online, so even itsown student body can view and review them in case theymissed a lecture or need to review a section.Coursera is a hub for universities that choose to offeronline classes through its platform for free. Already,companies and corporations spanning the globe acceptcertificates of completion of classes offered in Courseraas valid credits, as if they had been completed at theuniversity of origin. The material is essentially the same,the difference is the medium. Harvard for example,takes the delivery of online courses very seriously,delivering live classes which are recorded and deliveredonline. Harvard has even launched a specially designedsection within its campus, employing videographers andspecialists to design and create the perfect content to bedelivered through its online platform.

Best practices of online trainingOnline learning can offer a wide range of benefits.However, the knowledge that a student is able to acquirethis way depends not only on the course material that isoffered, but also the practices used to provide them withthis information. Here are just a few of the bestpractices of online training which help to betterfacilitate the e-learning process:A supportive communityTeachers and e-learning establishments shouldencourage a strong sense of community amongst theironline students. This will enable students to interactwith one another and the instructors, as well as with theresources provided, making for an enhancededucational experience!Clear expectationsStudents should be aware of what they will be receivingfrom the virtual class instruction, and both partiesshould know the preferred method of communicationand delivery of the core curriculum. For example, a

teacher may prefer to email assignments to students,while another might choose to deliver it via the e-learning site instead. Also, it‟s best to have clearexpectations about how long each item of courseworkshould take to complete.Asynchronous and synchronous activitiesIt‟s important to incorporate activities that are moreinteractive, as well as those that require the student tobrainstorm and research a topic in depth. Thanks to theinternet students can now attend virtual live courses aswell as complete coursework offline that can enablethem to delve into a specific subject or skill set.Effective usage of available resourcesTo get the most out of the e-learning experience boththe teacher and the student should take full advantageof the vast amount of resources that are available online.There are literally hundreds of online services that offeraccess to information, with Wikipedia being aprominent example. Instructors should seize theopportunity to enhance their content with onlinematerial or redirect students to additional webresources.

Learning vs. TrainingIt's important to understand the difference betweenlearning and training. Of course they are inextricablylinked, but they are unique aspects of any educationalprocess. Training is the giving of information andknowledge, through speech, the written word or othermethods of demonstration in a manner that instructsthe trainee. Learning is the process of absorbing thatinformation in order to increase skills and abilities andmake use of it under a variety of contexts. Whatever thegoals, the quality of the learning will rely largely on thequality of the training, and so the role of trainer is veryimportant as it can have a huge effect on the outcome ofa course for the learner.Let's look at the characteristics of each, and see whatmakes an e-learning environment work.The characteristics of learningAs mentioned above, learning is the process ofabsorbing information and retaining it with the goal ofincreasing skills and abilities in order to achieve goals -but it's more than that. Learning is what we go throughwhen we want to be equipped for non-specific and

unexpected situations and the two are not mutuallyexclusive. While you do learn to do something specific,you are also inadvertently equipped with the knowledgeand/or skills to face future challenges. In essence,learning is all about equipping a person to tackle notjust today's issues, but preparing him/her to creativelycome up with ways to tackle tomorrow's issues.The characteristics of trainingTraining on the other hand focuses more on thedevelopment of new skills or skill sets that will be used.Training is the process each new employee goes throughwhen joining a company to learn how to carry out theday-to-day operations, know how their departmentworks and how job-specific tools operate in order tocarry out their responsibilities. In essence, throughtraining, we are not looking to reshape the behavior ofan individual rather the point is to teach the employeeor learner how things are done so that they can thencarry out a process on their own.Ideally, an e-learning environment will utilize bothlearning and training principles throughout itscurriculum. This allows instructors/trainers to providetheir learners with the tools to tackle currentissues, develop life-long skills, improve on theirproblem-solving skills and utilize resources to the bestof their ability.

E-learning in education vs. corporate sectorE-learning allows both students and business executivesto learn anywhere and at any time. You can learn fromvirtually any place with a computer or mobile device andinternet connection, meaning you can study from home,on vacation or in your break. But e-learning is morethan about convenience and there are fundamentaldifferences between e-learning in the corporate sectorand in education.What happens in the corporate environment?The role of corporate training is to ensure an employeehas the knowledge and skills to undertake a specificoperation to enable an organization to continue tooperate. Fundamentally, corporate training is centeredon knowledge transfer. For example, conferences andworkshops are an essential yet expensive part ofbusiness and e-learning makes it affordable and efficient- sales people, for instance, can receive their training onnew products and sales strategies online. E-learning canbe translated to lower costs to deliver training in ashorter period of time, especially when employees arespread worldwide.

Corporate education however adds another dimensionand depth to training by involving learners asparticipants in generating new knowledge that assists anorganization to develop and evolve.The main characteristics of corporate learning are:Fast-paced: Enterprise learning is mostly \"fast paced\"because \"time is money\" in the corporate world.Training needs to be delivered in as short a time frameas possible with maximum results.Career-related: Enterprise learning helps employeesgain new skills to advance their careers inside thecompany. Enterprise LMSs have additional modules tofacilitate that process.Benefits organization: Enterprise learning focusesmainly on pragmatic issues with immediate benefits forthe organization rather than just individual benefit.Ultimately training is required for the organization tofunction correctly, and corporate education in order forit to evolve and develop.Training vs. Education: Enterprise is mostly focusedon training, while education is mostly about learningthough \"igniting curiosity\". Training usually means theact of being prepared for something, of being taught orlearning a particular skill and practicing it until therequired standard is reached. This has obvious practicalimplications for the workplace.

Return on investment: An enterprise needs to beable to calculate the ROI of its learning investment. Inan educational context this ROI is difficult to calculateand usually the effects of learning take years to show.What happens in educational institutes?In comparison with corporate learning, learning in theeducation sector focuses primarily on knowledgetransfer and not on training i.e. in education we mainlystrive to learn things with global scope (e.g. a subjectsuch as mathematics) whilst corporate e-learning ismore focused on business needs (e.g. new recruitinduction). The word education means to gain generaltheoretical knowledge and this may or may not involvelearning how to do any specific practical work, tasks orskills. Please note that there is some overlap and thatthe word „education‟ can also refer to a process oftraining or receiving tuition. For example, basic trainingin a field such as health services is usually acombination of theoretical, educational and practicallearning skills.ConvergenceCorporate e-learning professionals can learn fromacademic e-learning initiatives and vice versa, and we

are currently seeing a convergence of academic andcorporate e-learning needs. For example, the academicspace is starting to gravitate towards incorporatingcorporate methods in the classroom on how certaintopics are taught. And on the corporate side they‟reshifting the model of utilizing technologies in a way thatsupports the traditional classroom of academicsespecially with regards to blending technologies.There is obvious overlap: mobile learning for example isbecoming increasingly popular with learners having oneif not more mobile devices in their possession andtaking these devices to school or work. Learners haveaccess to the internet and social networks via thesemobile devices so all the technologies required to gatherinformation, create content and communicate withother people are readily available and naturally createan environment conducive to learning. Currently boththe education and corporate sectors are struggling toanswer the exact same questions: how do we use thesefor learning? How do instructional design, and teachingmethodologies and theories apply to delivering contentvia mobile devices? It‟s only natural for knowledge to beshared across the table.

The future of e-learningE-learning is here to stay. As computer ownership grows across theglobe e-learning becomes increasingly viable and accessible. Internetconnection speeds are increasing, and with that, opportunities for moremultimedia training methods arise. With the immense improvement ofmobile networks in the past few years and the increase intelecommuting, taking all the awesome features of e-learning on theroad is a reality with smartphones and other portable devices.Technologies such as social media are also transforming educationconstantly.Generally speaking, learning is expensive, takes a long time and theresults can vary. E-learning has been trying for years now tocomplement the way we learn to make it more effective andmeasurable. The result now being that there are a number of tools thathelp create interactive courses, standardize the learning process and/orinject informal elements to otherwise formal learning processes.Several e-learning trends give us a view to how e-learning and learningtools will be shaped in the future:Micro-learning focuses on the design of micro- learning activitiesthrough micro-steps in digital media environments, which already is adaily reality for today's knowledge workers. These activities can beincorporated into a learner's daily routines. Unlike \"traditional\" e-learning approaches, micro-learning often tends towards pushtechnology through push media, which reduces the cognitive load on

the learners. Therefore, the selection of micro-learning objects and alsopace and timing of micro-learning activities are of importance fordidactical designs. Micro-learning is an important paradigm shift thatavoids the need to have separate learning sessions since the learningprocess is embedded in the daily routine of the end-user. It is alsoperfectly suited for mobile devices where long courses can be overkill.Gamification is the use of game thinking and game mechanics in anon-game context to engage users and solve problems.Personalized Learning is the tailoring of pedagogy, curriculum andlearning environments to meet the needs and aspirations of individuallearners. Personalization is broader than just individualization ordifferentiation in that it affords the learner a degree of choice aboutwhat is learned, when it is learned and how it is learned. This may notindicate unlimited choice since learners will still have targets to be met.However, it may provide learners the opportunity to learn in ways thatsuit their individual learning styles and multiple intelligences.The distant future: Automatic learningIn a well-known scene from the movie The Matrix, Neo lies down in ahigh-tech dentist‟s chair and straps on a wild array of electrodes,downloading a series of martial arts training programs into his brain.Afterward, he opens his eyes and speaks the words geeks have beenquoting ever since: “I know Kung Fu.”This type of automatic learning might sound like a dystopian future

for many but it is where we are heading. And despite the ethicalquestions that may arise, the benefits could be substantial at multiplelevels if used properly. Here's how it works: you pick a task thatrequires high performance from your visual cortex such as catching aball. Then you go find someone who's a pro at catching a ball, placethem in an fMRI machine and record what's going on in their brainwhilst they visualize catching a ball. Then you've got your ball- catchingprogram, and you're ready to learn. Next step: put yourself into thefMRI machine, and rig it to induce that pro ball-catching imagery thatyou recorded earlier in your brain using neuro feedback. You don'teven have to be paying attention while this is going on. Your brain,though, becomes familiar with that pattern - which is essentially whatlearning is: the brain becoming familiar with new patterns. Researchhas shown that this fMRI pattern playback can cause long-lastingimprovement in tasks that require visual performance. In theory, a typeof automated learning is a potential outcome and what e-learning inthe distant future may look like.